Tom Angle?

rhnn19

Active Member
What is "right" or to be more precise perfect angle for me or anybody else?
I know it is truly personal choice, but I still can't find my perfect tom angle.
Thankfully my toms aren't that deep so I can set up them flat, more or less angled.
TBH I feel comfortable playing whatever angle I change it very often.
My drum idols such as Dave Lombardo and Nicko McBrain heavily angled toms (theirs are power toms I think).
 
They should be angled I think. Apparently, Ginger Baker had them flat just to make it harder for himself! On the other hand, Keith Carlock has them tilted the other way because it suits traditional grip...
 
I don't think logically..tom angles or lack thereof is dependent on the out front cool factor. Buddy Rich had the tom angle cool look. Going 4 piece after all these years I gotta be in the cool zone.
 
What is "right" or to be more precise perfect angle for me or anybody else?
You want the tip of the stick to meet the surface of the drum at a complimentary angle, meaning not too steep. If it is too steep, the tip of the stick can actually bury itself in the head and create dimples.

I cant tell you the correct angle, because it will be based on your specific factors, ie seat height, positioning, etc.
 
What is "right" or to be more precise perfect angle for me or anybody else?
where you could- can- if you wanted to- execute : ) a rimshot
 
where you could- can- if you wanted to- execute : ) a rimshot
I have a hard enough time with snare rimshots. Now the toms, too? F that! I’ll do it when I’m riding a floor tom sometimes, that’s about it.

Anyway, my thoughts are that positioning drums is a real pain in the ass, but you have to put them somewhere. The two things I can’t stand are having a lot of shell between the snare and rack tom batter heads, having a lot of space between rack and floor, and denting heads. So I’m tilting my rack tom a little whether it’s perceived as cool or not, but not so much that I stick the tips into the heads and dent them.
 
I check my angles daily
they are one thing that are adjustable without affecting head tension
"angle of attack" small toms , snare drum, to a lesser degree floor tom, Ride cymbal, left side cymbal, hi hat stand to a lesser degree is almost a daily chore.
 
Floor toms are flat and about the same height as snare (maybe a little lower).
Rack tom is slightly angled right in front of me.

View attachment 124540
This is my go-to set up as well (plus 1 floor tom). My rack is a 14x10 concert tom on a snare stand. So the angle is pretty good.
I've always been a fan of Travis Barker's set up where his toms are all flat. I wish I could do that with a 24" kick, but it's just not doable for ergonomic playing. :(
 
thepolice-bandphoto-569fc2d85f9b58eba4ad0eda.jpg

so lonely so lonely..
 
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